White Oaks

White Oaks was named for the white oak trees that grew around a local spring in the foothills of the Patos Mountains. In 1879, following the discovery of gold and coal in the Jicarilla (prounounced hick-oria) Mountains, White Oaks became a desirable town to live. At its peak White Oaks had an estimated population of 2,500, along with churches, a newspaper, a bank, opera house, lodges, saloons and well-stocked retail stores.

This was White Oaks in 1905.

Along with White Oaks thriving social scene came drunkenness, killings, and frequent visits from Billy the Kid and other desperados especially in the early years.

If you were to drive through White Oaks today you would never believe at one time it was a happening place. Now it's a ghost town, but without a doubt fascinating, and rich with history. Yesterday we had some business around those parts and I decided to stop and take a few photos to share with you guys.

This is the old schoolhouse, built in 1895 when White Oaks was the second largest city in New Mexico.

The schoolhouse is two stories, has four classrooms, and no electricity. The last class ever taught in this building was in 1942. 

This is the Gumm Mansion.

 A beautiful victorian home, and one of my favorites in White Oaks.

The Gumm brothers owned a lumber mill in town. At the time Billy the Kid escaped from jail in Lincoln, Pat Garrett was at the Gumm Mansion buying lumber to build a scaffold for Billy's execution.

An older picture of the Gumm Mansion.

On the south side of town sits the Hoyle Mansion. This mansion was built in 1893 and cost $40,000.

(ALOT of money for that time.)

The Mansion was built by Andy Hoyle, part owner of Old Abe Mine. He built it for his Massachusetts fiancee, a mail order bride. Story tells, she came as far as Texas, then turned back, apparently disenchanted with the desert landscape. He was heartbroken and then the story takes many different turns. Some say he leaped off a cliff, others say he married another girl and lived in the home. I'd like to believe he lived happily ever after with his new wife, but I'd be lying if the house didn't feel a bit eerie when passing.

There ya have it. Just a few of the historical sites still standing in White Oaks. Next trip I'd like to take a stroll through the Cedarville Cemetary which has tombstones dating back as far as 1881, and possibly even earlier. White Oaks is certainly a charming little reminder of the old west history, and such a fun place to explore.